3 bids launched to supply Grand Paris Express stations’ furniture

Société du Grand Paris, the State-owned company in charge of delivering Greater Paris new metro network, launched 3 stations furniture bids for SMEs and companies at the Paris Chamber of Commerce on September 26, 2019. Unlike stations which are each designed by a different architect and therefore unique, the furniture aims at revealing a common identity for Grand Paris Express network throughout the metropolitan area.

La Fabrique du Métro is the exhibition centre and living lab where Grand Paris Express stations’ furniture are being tested by architects and designers.

Société du Grand Paris presented the bids for station furniture on September 26 at the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry in front of companies and managers of SMEs. “On the furniture of the stations of the Grand Paris Express, our approach is transversal and identity-based”, presented Patricia Euvé, in charge of sourcing at Purchasing department of Société du Grand Paris.

The design of rest furniture, reception points and fire extinguisher boxes was carried out by Patrick Jouin ID studio. The graphic design of passenger information signs and media has been assigned to Intégral Ruedi Baur Paris (IRB) studio. “We are presenting five years of work here, we wanted to make a high-quality project by going as far as possible” explains Patrick Jouin, designer. “We need to talk to you to make it better,” he continued.

The durability of station furniture was one of the design priorities. “It is an incredible, almost overwhelming responsibility to design the furniture because our grandchildren will have to deal with it” explained the designer. “Everything has been designed so that, in 50 years’ time, every part of the furniture can be removed and easily replaced. Patrick Jouin wanted to provide order and quietness so that the furniture would be as pleasant as possible.

Movable identity-based furniture

The furniture has been designed movable, to be dismantled at any time and at a low cost. In other words, the products are modular, which makes it possible to make compositions. “Furniture is a dialogue with other types of products,” said Stéphanie Navarro, head of the design department at Société du Grand Paris.

Indeed, each piece of furniture will be able to be hung at insert points in all stations and architects will only have to “pick from our catalogue according to their needs” explains Patrick Jouin. “The idea of removability is key, because it allows us to bring the right item to the right place for the right use” says Henry Gagnaire, project manager at Patrick Jouin ID agency. The furniture installation has been simplified as much as possible and will be carried out by the station developer or manufacturing companies.

80% of the products displayed in the stations will use the same system, in this way we ensure aesthetic continuity between all bids.

If the stations are all unique in connection with the location’s identity, the furniture will embody the identity of Grand Paris Express, intended to unify the metropolitan network. Several materials will be used, such as concrete and bamboo for the seats. “We will have requirements that will guide your choices in bid applications” confirmed Stéphanie Navarro. On the contrary, plastic will be very little used for sustainability reasons.

Release dates for the 3 bids:

The bidding phase will open with the notice release of a competitive public tender in January 2020. The competition phase will start in June 2020 with the consultation file sent to eligible candidates.

Two months will be granted to prepare the bids, which will include: technical and financial bids and samples to check quality production. Contracts are expected to be notified in April 2021. The start of on-site deliveries must be made one year after the notification of the contracts, including six months of industrial development.

The bidding phase will open with the notice release of a competitive public tender in December 2019. The tender phase will start in May 2020 with the consultation file sent to eligible candidates. The completion phase of the procurement procedure – negotiated procedure – will start as contracts will be notified in March 2021. The start of on-site deliveries must be made one year after the notification of the contracts, including 6 months of industrial development.

GAR 3 contract – Reception Points:

The bidding phase will open with the notice release of a competitive public tender in November 2019. The tender phase will start in May 2020 with the consultation file sent to eligible candidates. The notification of the contracts is scheduled for February 2021. The start of on-site deliveries must be made one year after the notification of the contracts, including 6 months of industrial development.